"We live in a 75-year-old house that needs extensive work. Repairs need to conform to historic district guidelines and our own desire to keep the original character of the house. The house is quirky and often difficult, with plaster walls throughout that are both fragile and tough to work with, and details that at times require an artisan's touch and at other times a sledge hammer.

In addition to using their own family members, Lone Star State Construction worked out all the details in hiring plumbers and electricians and coordinating their time and work. When we had a question, we asked Dave Peters.

Previously, I had not seen the value in hiring a contractor, but there is real value and comfort in having one person to go to, one person ultimately responsible. I don't have to ask a plumber exactly what he is doing, or try to understand his thinking or make a decision on which method is best for our situation.

The contractor puts a welcome barrier of knowledge and accountability between the homeowner and the subcontractor, and he decides the methods to use based on the information we supplied and the results we desire. It's a very workable situation. Daren Peters is, at this moment, upstairs working on our second project, the redo of a tub enclosure.

The company will work on a third bathroom in December, and coordinate fascia/soffit/gutter work later this month. We chose Lone Star State Construction and the Peters family because of their Angie's List recommendations, and feel we have stumbled upon our own "This Old House" crew, San Antonio-style. We could not be happier with their work, their professionalism, their attitude. They are quality craftsmen."  V. Messec